Where RCB, PBKS and Rajasthan Royals Will Play Their IPL 2026 Home Matches
The BCCI has officially confirmed the home venues for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 season. One headline: three teams will split their home matches across two different cities, making this season one of the most spread-out in IPL history.
IPL 2026 Home Venue Quick Summary
| Team | Primary Venue | Secondary Venue | Home Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCB | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur | 5 + 2 |
| PBKS | New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala | 4 + 3 |
| RR | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | ACA Stadium, Guwahati | 4 + 3 |
RCB Home Venues: Bengaluru and Raipur
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host five of their home games at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The remaining two home fixtures move to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
RCB kick off the entire tournament on March 28 when they host Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match — defending champions straight into action on home turf.
There is one important condition attached to the Bengaluru fixtures. Matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium are still pending final clearance from an expert committee appointed by the Karnataka government. An inspection is scheduled for March 13, where officials will review match-day arrangements. Approval is expected to follow, but the formal green light is not yet confirmed.
RCB fans who want to plan their match-day trips early should keep an eye on the IPL 2026 full schedule once the remaining fixtures are released.
Punjab Kings: New Chandigarh and Dharamsala
Punjab Kings will use two home venues this season as well. Four matches will be played at the newly constructed New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh, while three fixtures head north to the breathtaking Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
The Dharamsala ground is widely considered one of the most scenic cricket venues in the world. For Punjab fans, getting tickets to those three matches will be a priority.
| PBKS Venue | Location | Home Matches |
|---|---|---|
| New PCA Stadium | New Chandigarh | 4 |
| HPCA Stadium | Dharamsala | 3 |
PBKS made some serious squad moves ahead of this season. You can check the latest IPL 2026 team squads to see their full lineup and who they are counting on at home.
Rajasthan Royals: Jaipur and Guwahati
Rajasthan Royals are going with a similar two-venue split. Four of their home matches will be played at the traditional home of the franchise, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The other three fixtures shift to ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
Guwahati has become an increasingly important IPL venue over recent seasons, and this confirms the city’s continued role in the tournament’s growing northeast footprint.
| RR Venue | Location | Home Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | 4 |
| ACA Stadium | Guwahati | 3 |
How the IPL 2026 Schedule Is Being Released
The BCCI is releasing the schedule in phases this year. The first 20 matches have been confirmed, covering the period from March 28 to April 12. The rest of the fixture list will be announced separately.
This phased approach means fans cannot yet book travel for the full season. Once the complete schedule drops, it is worth checking the IPL 2026 points table tracker to follow how the group stage unfolds as matches are played.
Why Teams Are Using Two Venues
The use of multiple home venues is not new in IPL history. Factors that typically drive this decision include:
- Stadium renovation or inspection requirements (as seen with Chinnaswamy)
- BCCI’s push to expand IPL’s reach to new cities like Guwahati and Raipur
- Giving fans in smaller markets access to live IPL cricket
- Commercial and broadcast agreements tied to specific venues
For RCB, the Raipur fixtures give the franchise a secondary base in Chhattisgarh, a market with a passionate cricket following. For RR, the Guwahati dates are part of a broader effort to grow cricket culture in the northeast.
What to Watch in IPL 2026 Home Fixtures
The opening match on March 28 at Chinnaswamy between RCB and SRH is already circled on every cricket fan’s calendar. The defending champions playing at home in a packed Bengaluru stadium is about as good as IPL opening nights get.
Dharamsala matches for PBKS and the Guwahati games for RR will also attract attention simply because of the atmosphere those grounds deliver. If you plan to watch live or on stream, the IPL 2026 live streaming guide covers all broadcast options across regions.
FAQs
Where will RCB play their home matches in IPL 2026? RCB plays five home matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru and two at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur.
Is Chinnaswamy Stadium confirmed for IPL 2026? It is pending final clearance from a Karnataka government expert committee. Inspection is on March 13.
Where will Punjab Kings play home matches? Four games at New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh and three at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala.
How many home matches will Rajasthan Royals play in Guwahati? Three home matches at ACA Stadium Guwahati.
When does IPL 2026 start? IPL 2026 begins on March 28 with RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Has the full IPL 2026 schedule been released? No. Only the first 20 matches (March 28 to April 12) are confirmed so far. The rest will be announced later.
